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Understanding green with Paint & Paper Library Head of Design, Andy Greenall

Understanding green with Paint & Paper Library Head of Design, Andy Greenall

July 11th, 2024
Paint & Paper Library

Green is a paint colour with undeniable appeal due to its versatility in a variety of interiors. Whether it assumes a strong, resonant hue or a soft and muted colour, green’s association with nature is always palpable, making it a staple shade to instil peace and tranquillity in the home.

Read this guide from Paint & Paper Library’s Head of Design, Andy Greenall, as he explores the range of colours that encompass the ‘green’ palette and how they can best be utilised in interior design.

The background of green 

Andy writes: “Green shades in interior design are as timeless as they come. Naturally occurring pigments such as Verdigris (from copper), Green Earth and Malachite have been used to create green dyes and pigments for hundreds, even thousands, of years. 

Walls: Apple Smiles II

Trim: Wattle II

As a colour, green’s most obvious connection is with nature. Understandably, there are many reasons we feel invested in that relationship, and there is no avoiding that green is revered in all areas of the home for its restful, reassuring, natural qualities. A well-appointed green shade can be as charming as it is calming.” 

Walls: Sprig V & Sprig I

Choosing a green shade 

Andy continues: “The broad spectrum of greens includes delicate pastel shades and charismatic deep hues, and spans from acid yellow and lime shades at one extreme, to turquoise and aquamarine tones at the other. So, it’s fairly easy to find a green that fits with the architectural style of your home and your aesthetic aspirations, without being restricted by the design style, or the range of other colours in your scheme. 

Deep green shades are more forgiving and much easier on the eye than pure black. A shade like Ilex, Nori or Hornblende will perform the same function as black, but its subtle character brings something extra to a room. Think about using it in the same way your eye would appreciate it in a garden, where layers of darker greens provide a beautiful backdrop to pops of brighter colours.” 

Wall: Nori

Rear Wall: Roben’s Honour

Architrave: Slate IV

Rear Panelling: Slate III

Using green in kitchens

While green can sit comfortably in almost interior, it is a particularly smart choice for kitchen schemes, which often lead out onto exterior space, thereby helping you to create a sense of seamless transition.

Green’s neutral makeup means that it offers a harmonious accompaniment to the warm wood and stone finishes found in many traditional kitchens. Whereas, in more contemporary kitchen settings, gentle muted greens provide a wonderful means of softening hard, reflective surfaces to deliver a comfortable living environment.

Read Andy’s expert advice for incorporating green in your kitchen design…

Andy writes: “When selecting a green paint colour for your kitchen, always consider the colour and surface quality of your worktops. Along with the floor, these are elements that will affect your choice of paint colours to ensure you achieve a cohesive scheme.  

Dark greens like Stable Green and Hunter Dunn are an excellent choice, and popular in kitchen design because they partner very well with most natural materials – woods, natural stone and marble.  

Earthy greens such as The Botanist, Greenback and Wattle also work extremely well as neutral foils, effortlessly coordinating with natural materials and allowing you to be more overtly expressive with colour in other ways.” 

Above dado: Willow II

Window shutters & Lower wall: Willow V

Cabinets: Stable Green

Floor: Wattle I

Wall: Lighthouse Palm – Chelsea Green

Order sample pots

  1. Hunter Dunn Hunter Dunn
    Hunter Dunn Save to Project
  2. Wattle V
    Wattle V Save to Project
  3. Stable Green
    Stable Green Save to Project
  4. The Botanist
    The Botanist Save to Project
  5. Greenback
    Greenback Save to Project

Four ways to use green in your kitchen

1. Use one strong green all over

“If it’s a strong or confident green, commit and use the same colour on the walls, cabinetry and ceiling as well.”

With its resonant hue, Apple Smiles II will bring enveloping warmth and vibrancy to your kitchen scheme, delivering an inviting, energising atmosphere to complement a sociable entertaining space. 

Wall: Apple Smiles II

2. Combine white walls with green accents

“Think about the proportion of colour in the room – 70:30 or 80:20 is always a better way to split two colours than 50:50 or 60:40. In a white kitchen, you can achieve real impact by using a brighter green on just the lower units, or even just an island or chairs, and cloaking everything else in the same white.” 

Ceiling: Slate II

Wall: Slate IV

Items on table: Scallion

Lower Wall: Stable Green

Table: Hunter Dunn

Architrave: Teal

Chair: Apple Smiles II

3. Create a contemporary look with blue-greens

“Don’t be afraid to wander slightly off track with colours like Salvia, Iguana, Fynbos or Glass. All of these could also be considered blue, but they’re fabulous, charismatic and proven green kitchen colours.” 

Wall: Salvia

Tiles: Glass I

Shelf: Canvas I

Units: Deep Water Green

Door: Clean White

4. Embrace your preferred green with a focal point

“If there’s an individual colour that you’re really fond enough of, don’t try and be too clever. Make it the focal shade, let everything else frame it and it will make the room sing.” 

Wall: Euphorbia